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16 Weeks of Life Science With Critical Thinking Discussions for Grades 3-6
Ronda Baker, B.Ed
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(378)
In this 16-week course, students will meet weekly for 55 minutes for lessons and group discussions about LIFE SCIENCE topics. Guided Notes Worksheets will be provided each week.
Class experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
TOPICS: Life Science, Cells, Biology, Life Cycles, Organisms, Body Systems, Food Chains, Food Webs, Habitats, Ecosystems, Nature, Animals, Genetics, and Heredity. Science from scripted textbooks and pre-made curricula can be limiting at times because science is progressing faster than these curriculum editions can keep up, often making some of the "new science" in them, old news. In this class, we are able to explore new and emerging science in real-time. Additionally, students are...
16 lessons//16 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1CellsThis lesson introduces Cells, explains the history of cell theory, and covers the basic differences between plant and animal cells. NGSS Grades 3 - 5, LS1.A: Structure and FunctionWeek 2Lesson 2OrganellesThis lesson looks at the organelles within cells and how they are responsible for cell functions. NGSS Grades 3 - 5, LS1.A: Structure and FunctionWeek 3Lesson 3Cell ReplicationThis lesson explores two forms of cell replication, Mitosis and Meiosis, and how each type is used in organism healing and reproduction. NGSS Grades 3 - 5, LS1.A: Structure and FunctionWeek 4Lesson 4Cell OrganizationThis lesson looks at the different types of cells that make up an organism and its unique parts. NGSS Grades 3 - 5, LS1.A: Structure and FunctionWeek 5Lesson 5ReproductionThis lesson is an overview of types of gestation and reproduction in animals, and types of reproduction in plants (No Sex-Ed or human reproduction covered) NGSS Grade 3-LS1.B: Growth and Development of OrganismsWeek 6Lesson 6Life CyclesThis lesson takes a look at select plant and animal life cycles, and the stages throughout them. NGSS Grade 3-LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms NGSS Grade 5-LS1.C: Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in OrganismsWeek 7Lesson 7SensesThis lesson explores the senses and how the senses are alike and different among various organisms. NGSS Grade 4-LS1.D: Information ProcessingWeek 8Lesson 8BehaviorThis lesson explores the behavior of organisms, and the difference between innate and learned behaviors. NGSS Grade 3-LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits NGSS Grade 4-LS1.D: Information ProcessingWeek 9Lesson 9Muscular and Skeletal Body SystemsThis lesson explores the basics of Muscular and Skeletal body systems and how they work together in an organism. NGSS Grade 4-LS1.A: Structure and FunctionWeek 10Lesson 10Digestive and Excretory SystemsThis lesson explores the basics of Digestive and Excretory body systems and how they work together in an organism. NGSS Grade 4-LS1.A: Structure and FunctionWeek 11Lesson 11Respiratory and Circulatory SystemsThis lesson explores the basics of Respiratory and Circulatory body systems and how they work together in an organism. NGSS Grade 4-LS1.A: Structure and FunctionWeek 12Lesson 12Nervous and Endocrine SystemsThis lesson explores the basics of Nervous and Endocrine body systems and how they work together in an organism. NGSS Grade 4-LS1.A: Structure and FunctionWeek 13Lesson 13Habitats and EcosystemsThis lesson explores various habitats and how organisms within an ecosystem interact. NGSS Grade 3-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and DynamicsWeek 14Lesson 14Food Chains and Food WebsThis lesson explores how energy is transferred through food chains and food webs within an ecosystem. NGSS Grade 5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics NGSS Grade 5-LS2.B: Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in EcosystemsWeek 15Lesson 15Classification of Living ThingsThis lesson introduces the scientific method of classifying organisms through Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family , Genus, Species. NGSS Grade 3-LS4.C: AdaptationWeek 16Lesson 16Genes and HeredityThis lesson explores basic concepts in genetics and how traits are passed down to offspring. NGSS Grade 3-LS3-1 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
Students will explore science topics related to Life Science. Students will make science connections to real-world phenomena, technologies, and events. Students will participate in discussions and activities.
During my 10 years teaching in the public education system, I was in charge of the planning and teaching all the science content for grades 4th, 5th, and 6th. In addition to classroom teaching, my experience includes many Professional Development hours in science, including workshops in the Next Generation Science Standards. I have twice attended the Schools of the Future Conference in Hawaii which included many high level science sessions, and was a registered member of both the Hawaii State Science Teachers Association, and the National Science Teacher's Association.
Homework Offered
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered
While there are no tests / quizzes offered, and no letter grades, I am happy to provide a certificate of completion for homeschool or extra-curricular activity records upon participation in all 16 weeks.
This class supports students of all learning styles through the use of video and visual aids, written text, checks for understanding, and a relaxed learner focused environment.
A weekly guided notes worksheet handout will be sent on Sunday prior to each new week. Printing is optional but encouraged. This worksheet will include fill-in-the-blank questions that correspond with each week's lesson which will record information such as definitions and facts from the lesson. There will also be one or more response questions that are open ended. Students may be asked to share their answers for some or all of the questions during the wrap up of each lesson.
When we get to Human Body Systems in this unit, we will NOT be covering human reproduction and sexuality. We will, however, be covering types of gestation in animals, and forms of pregnancy seen in the animal kingdom. Evolution will be covered briefly, citing scientific positions on evolution, but more attention will be given to the observable science of adaptations and natural selection.
Textbooks: ScienceSaurus Student Handbook for grade 4 and grade 6 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Web Sources: National Geographic.org Ted-Ed on YouTube Thoughtco.com Sciencing.com Ducksters.com Amoeba Sisters on YouTube Hayley Loren's Chat Science on YouTube Science ABC on YouTube Biology4Kids.com Science.Nasa.gov Geology.com Britannica.com Sciencedaily.com HowStuffWorks.com Study.com YouTube.com
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(378)
I have been a licensed elementary school teacher since 2012. I taught grades K, 1, 4, 5, and 6 in the public education system in Hawaii. During 2020, when schools moved to distance learning as a safety precaution, I learned that I enjoyed...
Group Class
$24
weekly or $375 for 16 classes1x per week, 16 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
2-8 learners per class
